Unemployment and Health Benefits in Nevada

Many Nevada residents are unemployed with limited access to health benefits. The unemployment rate in Nevada is 14.2 percent as of January 2011. The Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation and the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services govern state programs that assist unemployed and uninsured residents with temporary monetary assistance and health insurance until gainful employment is sustained.

Unemployment Eligibility

• Unemployment benefits provide temporary monetary assistance to Nevada residents who are out of work through no fault of their own. Nevada residents can collect unemployment benefits until they return to work if they meet state eligibility requirements. To be eligible for unemployment benefits in Nevada, residents must have sufficient earnings within the base period, be able and willing to seek and accept work and must be unemployed for eligible reasons.

  Residents must have wages that total at least one and a half times their earnings in the last four out of five calendar quarters prior to filing for unemployment. Once monetary eligibility is met, the unemployment department determines if the resident is out of work through no fault of their own. Individuals who have been laid off or had their hours significantly reduced are automatically eligible for unemployment benefits. Residents who are discharged for reasons other than misconduct may be eligible for benefits. Workers who were let go for misconduct or who voluntarily quit are usually ineligible for unemployment benefits.

Benefits and Payments

• The maximum benefit amount for Nevada unemployment is $400 per week. The amount earned during the base period determines the recipient's maximum benefit amount. Weekly benefits are deposited to a prepaid debit card. Benefit recipients who would rather receive a check must make arrangements with the unemployment office at the time they file a claim.

Nevada Medicaid

• Nevada Medicaid is a state and federally funded insurance program for low- and no-income residents to help pay for medical expenses. Nevada Medicaid pays for services such as inpatient and outpatient hospital care, physician services, medical and surgical dental services, nursing facilities, family planning, laboratory and X-ray services, as well as diagnostic screening and tests. To be eligible for Nevada Medicaid, the recipient's income cannot exceed 133 percent of the federal poverty level. If a resident collects unemployment and the weekly benefit amount exceeds 133 percent of the federal poverty level, he or she is ineligible for Nevada Medicaid but may qualify for other state health benefits.

Medical Assistance Programs

• Nevada residents who collect unemployment and do not qualify for Medicaid because unemployment benefits are too high may qualify for other Nevada health programs. Nevada Check Up is a state health benefit program for residents who only need to insure dependent children. The Child Health Assurance Program is also available for children as well as pregnant women with low income levels. Individuals who do not fall into these categories can apply for individual insurance through private carriers. Private insurance carriers do not have income restrictions, but applicants must meet health and age requirements to be eligible for coverage.